ὁροθεσία (horothesia)
horothesia
fixed boundary
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun horothesia refers to the act of setting boundaries or establishing fixed limits. It is formed from words meaning "boundary" and "to place," creating a concrete image of marking out a specific area. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Acts 17:26.
Paul uses it to describe how God determined the times and places where people live. The word emphasizes that these limits are not accidental but are deliberately set by divine authority. This usage highlights God’s sovereign control over history and geography, defining the scope of human existence rather than leaving it to chance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we look at our lives, it is easy to feel like we are drifting without direction. The word horothesia reminds us that God sets fixed boundaries for every nation and person. This is not a sign of limitation, but of care. He places us exactly where we need to be, ensuring that our lives have purpose and structure.
Even when our circumstances feel restrictive or confusing, this truth offers deep comfort. It means your location and timing are not accidents. God has deliberately arranged the seasons of your life. You can trust that He is guiding your steps with intention and love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- boundaries1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὁροθεσίας1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 17:26
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons and the boundaries of their dwellings,
This verse explicitly links the concept of fixed boundaries to God's sovereign determination of where people dwell, showing that our geography is part of His divine plan.